Letter received by Banks from Matthew Flinders, 29 January 1801 (Series 65.04) - No. 0001

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                    H. M.I. Investigator Sheerness

                                          Jan. 29. 1801                               

Sir Joseph

                A green house, the plan of which was sent down by the Navy Board is now fitting upon the quarter - the deck of the ship, over the tiller. The joiners  mention a plant cabin which they are likewise ordered to fit, but have no plan of. At present, I have desired them to stop, till some information comes from you: as there appears to be no possibility of finding room for it upon deck. No doubt but that about the time of our returning, we shall be able to store many single pots or boxes, in different parts: but I fear that no place can be found for a regular frame, in addition to the green house.

The green house will probably be applied to taking natureful plants to Port Jackson. There are no gooseberries or currants there at present. Cherries, nectarines, plumbs, raspberries, and some others have not reached the settlement yet, the heats of the tropics has probably destroyed them in the passage.

A collection of garden seeds of the best kind would no doubt be a valuable present to the settlement: as well as useful to plant in the different places we may touch at 

I have, as yet, received no intilligince relative to the new establishment, and have therefore not applied officially for the warrant officers & Neither from the admirals office

Jan 30,

c